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Rob Bowen (Kenfig.org Local Community Group)

Related Sections

Home Guard

Local Defence Volunteers

In May 1940 a decision was taken by the War Cabinet to strengthen the Regular and Territorial Army by recruiting
men between the ages of 17 and 65 who were not already engaged in civil defence activities.
The new force was called the Local Defence Volunteers and by July 1940 it had grown to around 1.5 million men;
in that month it was renamed the Home Guard.

Royal Observer Corps

Locks Lane, Porthcawl

Hidden in a field next to Locks Lane, Porthcawl until April 1994 was an underground operations room.
Built in 1961 on the site of a wartime surface observation post - the original wooden structure was built in 1938
for what was the Observer Corps. The observation post at Porthcawl commissioned in 1938 consisted of a wooden shed topped by a tower giving
excellent views over the Bristol Channel.

The Royal Dutch Troops

Dan-y-Graig Camp, Porthcawl

First billeted in Haverfordwest then moved to Dan-y-Graig, Porthcawl the Dutch soldiers were accommodated in tents.
Out of 1460 who arrived, 120 were officiers, 360 were senior NCO's and 980 corporals and privates. Collectively they were
known as the 'Royal Dutch Troops' and also as the Dutch Legion until 27 August 1941 when Queen Wilhelmina presented them
with a standard in the name of 'Prinses Irene Brigade'.

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)

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